Illinois Senate mulls fate of budget that would end stalemate

The fate of Illinois’ first budget since 2015 moved to the Senate on Monday after the House of Representatives completed its work by approving legislation to implement a spending plan for fiscal 2018. The measure, which passed in a 72-36 vote and includes a way to pay down the state’s $ 15 billion unpaid bill backlog, follows the House’s approval on Sunday of a $ 36 billion spending bill and a revenue bill boosting taxes by $ 5 billion that Governor Bruce Rauner has vowed to veto. All three measures, which passed the Democratic-controlled chamber with the support of some Republicans, are destined for votes in the Senate.